Self-cleaning steam iron

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a self-cleaning steam iron with means to purge the iron of water and steam through the soleplate by providing a substantially large opening in the iron&#39;&#39;s water tank separate and distinct from the metering orifice through which water is normally dripped to make steam such as in flash boiler type irons. The large opening empties directly onto the soleplate. A valve means is provided to control this opening so the water in the tank can be suddenly dumped onto the hot soleplate so that, with the additional steam suddenly generated, substantially the entire tank, steam distribution system, and ports are completely and forcefully purged of water, steam, loose residues, and entrapped lint.

United States Patent [1 1 Davidson 1 SELF-CLEANING STEAM IRON 5 IInventor: William E. Davidson, Ontario.

Calif.

[73} Assignee: General Electric Company,

Bridgeport, Conn.

[22] Filed: Oct. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 187,010

[ 1 3,747,241 [451 July 24, 1973 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. LawsonAttorney- Lawrence R. Kempton, John F. Cullen et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The invention is directed to a self-cleaning steam iron,with means to purge the iron of water and steam through the soleplateby providing a substantially large opening in the irons water tankseparate and distinct from the metering orifice through which water isnormally dripped to make steam such as in flash boiler type irons. Thelarge opening empties directly onto the soleplate. A valve means isprovided to control this opening so the water in the tank can besuddenly dumped onto the hot soleplate so that, with the additionalsteam suddenly generated, substantially the entire tank, steamdistribution system, and ports are completely and forcefully purged ofwater, steam, loose'residues, and entrapped lint.

26 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJULMIQH SHEET 1 [IF 2 I4 TTUR/VE YSELF-CLEANING STEAM IRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The invention herein pertains to a steam iron and, moreparticularly, to a self-cleaning steam iron which employs asubstantially and separate large opening in the internal water tankwhereby the tank may be suddenly emptied and the resultant gush of waterand steam substantially completely purges the iron.

2. Description of the Prior Art With the advent of irons using water foreither steam or spray purposes or both, it is customary to provide awater tank above the soleplate and use a water valve to providecontrolled and metered water drippage into a steam boiler where itflashes to steam and is directed out ports in the soleplate to steam thearticle. This is known as the flash boiler steam iron and is typical ofmost steam irons today. Additionally, powered spray attachments, eithersteam or manual, have been added to such irons to supply afine sprayfrom the water tank to spray onto the garment. Generally, distilledwater is used in such steam irons because of the fineness of the variouswater passages and orifices which are subjected to clogging due to themineral deposits from the water which vary from one locality to another.In addition, the steam ports in the soleplate tend to collect lint fromthe ironing operation and some of this lint may subsequently find itsway into the internal passage structure when the iron is upended and notin use. In hostile hard-water localities, the tap water containsminerals which produce loose flakes and deposits that plate out on theiron components and clog the fine passages in the iron. These deposits,which vary around the country, generally consist of lime or calciumcarbonate as well as other chemicals that are in solution in the wateror may be in relatively large flake-form in the water. Various screenshave been used to keep the fine passageways clear of flakes buteventually even these screens plug up. Additionally, some constructionshave provided means whereby brushes or other cleaning implements may beused at least partially to free the passages of obstructing impuritiesbut these may require removal of plugs or the equivalent as well as theadditional time and scrubbing action necessary on the part of the user.Prior art constructions have not provided a self-cleaning iron whereinthe entire tank and passages may be substantially completely cleaned byblowing out all the impurities in a simple operation in which the entireiron is completely purged at the end of an ironing session.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention isdirected to a steam iron that has a fill opening to an interior watertank and a steam generating soleplate with ports therein and which usesan on and off water valve to control a metered flow of water from thetank through an orifice and onto the soleplate to generate steam. Thisis known as a flash boiler steam iron. Such irons may also have manualor power spray structure. In such a steam iron, with or without thespray, the invention provides an improvement in means to completely andforcefully purge the iron of water and steam through the soleplate. Thisincludes a separate substantially large opening in the water tank spacedfrom and operable independently of the metering orifice. The largeopening connects directly with the inner and preferably hottest surfaceof the soleplate. The large opening is valve controlled by separatelyoperable means on the iron handle so that the water in the tank can besuddenly dumped directly onto the hot soleplate to by-pass the orificeand empty the tank rapidly through the soleplate ports. Depending on thetype of iron to which the invention is applied, additional knownstructure to seal off the fill hole and close the interior of the ironto ambient pressure while steaming as well as balance tube means toequalize the pressure in closed systems may be used. Additionally, bysizing the parts it is possible to generate steam pressure to assist indumping the tank and rapidly purge the entire iron. Thus, the mainobject of the invention is to provide an improvement to any steam ironwhich rapidly dumps the water tank in a quick action to substantiallycompletely purge the iron and make it self-cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view,partially in section and broken away, showing general parts of a powerspray iron with the invention pictorially applied;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective enlarged to show the actualdumping valve structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 as applied to a manual spray iron;and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a typical iron showing thelocation of the handle operating means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will be describedin connection with a spray-steam iron of either the power or manual typealthough it should be understood that the invention is applicable tosteam irons alone of the flooded boiler type as shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,156,054, non-flash boiler type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,218, bothof common assignment, or the more common flash boiler type describedherein with or without the spray attachment. The invention discloses aself-cleaning iron where, on pushing a button, water and steam flushthrough soleplate ports forcing substantially all loose mineral depositsand scorched lint from the iron. This is the intent of completely purge"or completely self-cleaning" and the like as used herein. Referringfirst to FIG. 1, there is shown a steam iron thatincludes soleplate 10having plural steam ports 12 and outer shell 14 connected in anysuitable manner to handle 16 all in known fashion. Soleplate 10 may becast aluminum with an electrical heating element 18 cast in position.The heating element is generally of the sheathed type and extends in aloop beginning at the rear of the iron along one side to the forward endand then rearwardly along the other side. Thus, substantially uniformheat distribution is provided to the soleplate.

The iron includes means for generating steam by providing interior watertank 20 which may have a vertical outer suitably shaped riser tube means22 in the forward portion for housing various operating mechanisms. Forsteam, soleplate 10 boiler a steam generator cavity or oiler 24 toreceive metered water. The water is started and stopped or controlled bywater valve structure generally indicated at 26 and activated by steamcontrol means such as button 28 and connected spring-biased verticalstem 30. Water is metered through an orifice as represented by passage32, and

seen in FIG. 2, from tank into boiler 24, the resulting steam beingdistributed and directed through passages 34, under coverplate 36 andout ports 12 onto the fabric being ironed. An additional steam powerspray attachment 38 may be operated by control button 40. Temperaturecontrol 42 operates to thermostatically control the heat generated inthe soleplate. In order to supply water to the tank 20 for steam and/orspray, fill opening 44 is provided with direct communication to thetank. When the iron is steaming by placing buttion 28 in up for steamposition so water is metered to boiler 24, the system is closed toambient or atmosphere by means of valve 46 on stem 30, the valve thensealing the inlet passage to the tank. In a system closed to ambient, inorder for the water in tank 20 to drip into steam boiler 24 forsteaming, it is necessary to equalize pressure in the generating portionof the soleplate or boiler 24 and the interior of water tank 20 and, tothis end, it is customary to provide a pressure balancing tube 48 toconnect the interior of the water tank with the steam boiler 24 sopressure is equalized on both sides of water valve 26 and water willdrip at a constant rate for steam generation. For controlling ormaintaining a constant upstream pressure before steam enters passages34, a suitable steam pressure valve generally indicated at 50 isprovided in a separate tube adjacent balance tube 48 as seen in FIG. 2which separate tube is also open at its lower end like balance tube 48and open at its other end adjacent the sprayer as seen in FIG. 1 toprovide a direct and straignt steam path to the sprayer for fast startof the spray operation. Both tubes 48 and 50 are brought into a lowerdomed portion 52, separate or formed in the bottom of tank 20, whichprovides a steam dome over steam boiler 24. Thus, steam from boiler 24may pass directly down into the soleplate when steam pressure operatesvalve 50 and it may also pass directly up balance tube 48 to equalizepressure as well as up adjacent tube means 50 if and when a sprayer 38is used. The operation thus far described is known as a power spray ironand is shown in US. Pat. 3,041,757 of common assignment. In such irons,it is customary to drain the iron after operation by depressing button28 thus opening valve 46 to ambient and turning the iron nose downwhereby the water drains out fill opening 44 and most of the water isremoved from tank 20.

In accordance with the invention this draining operation is unnecessaryand the iron is completely selfcleaning. To achieve this, as best seenin FIG. 2, the bottom of tank 20 is provided with a substantially largeopening 54 that is spaced and separate from the usual metering orificeat 32. Many equivalent forms may be used to provide the large opening,such as a concentric annulus around the metering orifice 32 asvisualized in FIG. 2, or any other functional equivalent. This openingis thus defined as substantially large" and spaced that may be separateand is intended to include any additional unrestricted flow opening thatrapidly empties the tank and functions other than as the smallrestricted flow metering orifice and which bypasses the meteringorifice. Preferably, this is in the form of a separate and distinctlyspaced bottom opening 54 as an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 2.This opening is conveniently adjacent the tubes and, in effect, is aplugged hole in the bottom of water tank 20 to rapidly dump the tank. Inorder to obtain control and additional useful effects from the rapidemptying, the opening 54, as

clearly seen, is disposed to communicate through the iron to atmosphereand, preferably is connected directly with the inner surface ofsoleplate l0 and this is achieved by a directing shroud 56, that passesthrough a matching opening 58 in coverplate 36, that connects theopenings and communicates directly with the soleplate by being broughtdown close to but spaced from the inner surface of soleplate 10 as shownin FIG. 1. Dumping of the water from tank 20 is under control of apiston-like lobed valve means generally indicated at 60 that operates inthe shroud and opens or closes opening 54 and is biased to the up orclosed position by spring 62, the valve being shown open in FIG. 2. Thedumped water passes through opening 54 and around the lobes which areguided by shroud 56. It is convenient to place all of this structure inthe steam dome 52 with the valve 60 adjacent balance tube 48 and theother structure as shown in FIG. 2. It can be seen that the opening ofvalve 60 permits most of the water in tank 20 to bypass the orifice 32and immediately dump onto the hot soleplate and flow into passages 34and out ports 12. However, in order to provide a powerful purgingaction, the location and orientation of the water dump is important. Tothis end, the coverplate opening 58 is arranged directly above thehottest part of the soleplate adjacent heater element 18. While this isnot completely necessary it is preferable because it provides a largequantity of flash steam with subsequent benefits as will becomeapparent. By directing shroud 56 down toward the inner surface ofsoleplate 10, the dumped water from tank 20 must escape below the shroudin order to reach ports 12 and exit from the iron. Because of thedirection of the shroud toward the inner soleplate surface, the waterhas difficulty mom entarily in spreading and escaping under the shroud.At the same time, because the water is dumped on the hottest part of thesoleplate, a large quantity of steam is generated. This combination ofwater and steam thus interferes with the normal steam flow fromgenerator 24 to the ports with the result that the pressure controlvalve 50 may be slightly delayed in opening. Consequently, since theiron is still generating steam in boiler 24, the pressure on the surfaceof the water in the tank is increased momentarily. The result of theseinteractions is that the opening of piston valve 60 to dump the waterresults in a large quantity of water by venting the tank to atmosphereand steam issuing forcefully under maintained pressure from ports 12 andthe iron is completely purged. Any entrapped lint in ports 12 is alsowashed or steamed out. The purging or dumping operation as described inseparate from the other iron operations such as the water valve 26 andconsequently preferably controlled separately since it is the final stepin ironing. To this end, the upwardly-biased dumping or piston valve 60is extended by a suitable intermediate rod 64 up into the neck of thehandle where it can be easily controlled by depressing an externalsliding button 66. This separate control avoids any inadvertent dumpingof the water tank.

Referring to FIG. 3, a similar valve structure is shown as applied to amanual spray iron and like numerals refer to like parts. The iron againis shown as a system closed to ambient where, during steaming, fill hole44 is sealed by valve mechanism 26 as described in connection withFIG. 1. It should again be appreciated that the invention is equallyapplicable to an open system manual spray iron as shown in US. Pat. No.3,183,611 of common assignment.

In the iron of FIG. 3, spray control button 40 is connected to operate adiaphragm pump generally indicated at 68 and of the type shown in theabovereferenced US. Pat. No. 3,183,611. As in the previous modification,the bottom of water tank 20 is provided with a substantially largeopening 70 that is separate and spaced from the metering orifice 32 andthis opening is extended by shroud 72 to communicate directly with theinner surface of soleplate at or near the hottest part of the soleplate.Passage of water for dumping from tank to the soleplate is under controlof valve 74 that has a spring-biased stem 76 operated by button 66.Again, the shroud 72 is extended through a matching opening 78 in thecoverplate to connect directly with the inner surface of the soleplate.In this form a suitable steam opening may be provided such as by puttingthe shroud close to but slightly spaced from the coverplate to providean annulus 80 for the normal passage of steam from generator 24 topassages 34 and ports 12. Upon activation of the dumper valve, themetering orifice 32 is substantially bypassed and the water tank 20 iscompletely dumped immediately onto the hot soleplate where a largequantity of steam is quickly generated and the mixture of water andsteam passing under the shroud and into the steam path tends briefly toimpede the normal flow of steam through annulus 80 and to ports 12, theimpeding means consisting at least partly of the dumping water. Also,some of the suddenly generated steam blocks and passes through annu- Ius80 and back up the balance tube 48 to momentarily increase the pressureon the surface of the water in the tank and assist in dumping the tank.Thus, the iron is completely and forcefully purged of all steam andwater. In the event the pressure build-up is too rapid any suitablesafety valve or vent, such as shown dotted at 82, may be provided ifnecessary although the parts may be sized to avoid the need for an extravent.

In both the power and manual spray versions shown in FIGS. I and 3respectively, it will be apparent that the iron is suddenly completelypurged by the opening of the dump'valve 60 and 74. Furthermore, theconstruction is such that a momentary pressure build-up assists in aturbulent purging with the result that the iron is substantiallycompletely blown out including all water, steam, loose residues, and anyentrapped lint being flushed through the steam ports. It will beapparent that the invention in the same form is applicable to any steamiron system with or without the spray attachment and whether ventedthrough the soleplate or not and the same result of a complete purge isobtained. Thus, the iron is self-cleaning in the true sense of the word.

While there have been described preferred forms of the invention,obvious equivalent variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope ofthe appended claims, the invention may be practised, otherwise than asspecifically described, and the claims are intended to cover suchequivalent variations.

1 claim:

I. In a steam iron having steam control means, a fill opening to aninterior water tank and a steam generating soleplate with ports therein,the improvement in means to purge said iron of water and steam throughthe soleplate comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank,

said opening communicating directly with the inner surface of saidsoleplate, and

means operable to open and close said opening,

whereby the water in said tank may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplateto empty said tank rapidly through said ports.

2. Apparatus as described in claim'l wherein said means operable to openand close said opening is disposed on the iron handle and operableseparately from said steam control means.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said interior tank hasmeans closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and saidlarge opening is in the bottom of said tank.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said large opening isdisposed directly above the hottest part of the soleplate.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 3 having a balance tube connectingthe steam generating portion of the soleplate and the interior of saidtank.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said large opening isdisposed adjacent said balance tube and directly above the hottest partof the soleplate.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 5 having means impeding the normalgenerated steam flow to said ports on tank dumping whereby increasedsteam pressure to said tank interior assists said emptying.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said impeding meansconsists at least partly of said dumping water.

9. In a steam iron having a fill opening to an interior water tank and asteam generating soleplate with ports therein, an on-off water valve tostart and stop a metered flow of water from said tank through an orificeand onto the soleplate to generate steam, the improvement in means topurge said iron of water and steam through the soleplate comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank spaced and separate from saidorifice, said opening communicating directly with the inner surface ofsaid soleplate, and

means operable to open and close said opening,

whereby the 'water in said tank may be suddenly dumped onto thesoleplate to bypass the orifice and empty said tank rapidly through saidports.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said means operable toopen and close said opening is disposed on the iron handle and operableseparately from said water valve.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said interior tank hasmeans closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and saidlarge opening is in the bottom of said tank.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said large opening isdisposed directly above the hottest part of the soleplate.

13. Apparatus as described in claim 11 having a balance tube connectingthe steam generating portion of the soleplate and the interior of saidtank.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said large opening isdisposed adjacent said balance tube and directly above the hottest partof the soleplate.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 13 having means impeding the normalgenerated steam flow to said ports on tank dumping whereby increasedsteam pressure to said tank interior assists said emptying.

16. Apparatus as described in claim wherein said impeding means consistsat least partly of said dumping water.

17. In a steam iron having a fill opening to an interior water tank anda steam generating soleplate with ports therein, a coverplate spacedfrom said tank and over the soleplate to direct and distribute steam tosaid ports, and on-off water valve to start and stop a metered flow ofwater from said tank through an orifice and onto the soleplate togenerate steam, and means to control said water valve from the handle ofsaid iron, the improvement in means to purge said iron of water andsteam through the soleplate comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank spaced and separate from saidorifice,

a matching opening in the coverplate communicating directly with theinner surface of said soleplate,

a tubular shroud connecting said openings,

valve means operable in said shroud to open and close said connection,

whereby the water in said tank may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplateto bypass the orifice and empty said tank rapidly through said ports.

18. Apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said shroud valve meansis operable separately from said water valve means.

19. Apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said interior tank hasmeans closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and saidlarge tank opening is in the bottom of said tank.

20. Apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein said matching opening insaid coverplate is disposed directly above the hottest part of thesoleplate.

21. Apparatus as described in claim 19 having a balance tube connectingthe steam generating portion below the coverplate and the interior ofsaid tank.

22. Apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said matching opening insaid coverplate is disposed directly above the hottest part of thesoleplate.

23. Apparatus as described in claim 21 having means impeding the normalgenerated steam flow to said ports on tank dumping whereby increasedsteam pressure to said tank interior assists said emptying.

24. Apparatus as described in claim 22 having a pressure control valveto maintain a constant steam pressure upstream of said coverplate.

25. Apparatus as described in claim 23 whereby said impeding means isprovided by extending said shroud through the coverplate and close tobut spaced from said soleplate to provide a steam path therebetween sothe dumping water flow is directed into said steam path to impede saidsteam flow to the ports and generate a momentary pressure rise.

26. In a steam iron having steam control means, a fill opening to aninterior water tank, a steam generating soleplate with ports therein,valve means to close the tank to atmosphere, and means to pressurizesaid tank, the improvement in means to purge at least said tank of waterand loose residues comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank,

said opening communicating to the atmosphere,

and

means operable to open and close said opening,

whereby, the water in said tank may be suddenly dumped to empty saidtank rapidly.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 747241 I I Dat d y 24 1973 i William E Davidson Inventor(s) It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 56 reading is thus defined as "substantially large andspaced that I may be separate and is etc.;

' Should properly read is thus defined as "substantially large" that maybe spaced and separate and is Signed and sealed this 15th day of October1974.

(SEAL) I "Attest: p p r I I McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Ilttesting Officer Y Commissioner of Patents, n

, FORM lac-1050x1069)

1. In a steam iron having steam control means, a fill opening to aninterior water tank and a steam generating soleplate with ports therein,the improvement in means to purge said iron of water and steam throughthe soleplate comprising, a substantially large opening in said tank,said opening communicating directly with the inner surface of saidsoleplate, and means operable to open and close said opening, wherebythe water in said tank may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplate toempty said tank rapidly through said ports.
 2. Apparatus as described inclaim 1 wherein said means operable to open and close said opening isdisposed on the iron handle and operable separately from said steamcontrol means.
 3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein saidinterior tank has means closing it to ambient pressure when the iron issteaming and said large opening is in the bottom of said tank. 4.Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said large opening is disposeddirectly above the hottest part of the soleplate.
 5. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 3 having a balance tube connecting the steamgenerating portion of the soleplate and the interior of said tank. 6.Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said large opening is disposedadjacent said balance tube and directly above the hottest part of thesoleplate.
 7. Apparatus as described in claim 5 having means impedingthe normal generated steam flow to said ports on tank dumping wherebyincreased steam pressure to said tank interior assists said emptying. 8.Apparatus as describeD in claim 7 wherein said impeding means consistsat least partly of said dumping water.
 9. In a steam iron having a fillopening to an interior water tank and a steam generating soleplate withports therein, an on-off water valve to start and stop a metered flow ofwater from said tank through an orifice and onto the soleplate togenerate steam, the improvement in means to purge said iron of water andsteam through the soleplate comprising, a substantially large opening insaid tank spaced and separate from said orifice, said openingcommunicating directly with the inner surface of said soleplate, andmeans operable to open and close said opening, whereby the water in saidtank may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplate to bypass the orifice andempty said tank rapidly through said ports.
 10. Apparatus as describedin claim 9 wherein said means operable to open and close said opening isdisposed on the iron handle and operable separately from said watervalve.
 11. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said interior tankhas means closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming andsaid large opening is in the bottom of said tank.
 12. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 11 wherein said large opening is disposed directlyabove the hottest part of the soleplate.
 13. Apparatus as described inclaim 11 having a balance tube connecting the steam generating portionof the soleplate and the interior of said tank.
 14. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 13 wherein said large opening is disposed adjacentsaid balance tube and directly above the hottest part of the soleplate.15. Apparatus as described in claim 13 having means impeding the normalgenerated steam flow to said ports on tank dumping whereby increasedsteam pressure to said tank interior assists said emptying. 16.Apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein said impeding means consistsat least partly of said dumping water.
 17. In a steam iron having a fillopening to an interior water tank and a steam generating soleplate withports therein, a coverplate spaced from said tank and over the soleplateto direct and distribute steam to said ports, and on-off water valve tostart and stop a metered flow of water from said tank through an orificeand onto the soleplate to generate steam, and means to control saidwater valve from the handle of said iron, the improvement in means topurge said iron of water and steam through the soleplate comprising, asubstantially large opening in said tank spaced and separate from saidorifice, a matching opening in the coverplate communicating directlywith the inner surface of said soleplate, a tubular shroud connectingsaid openings, valve means operable in said shroud to open and closesaid connection, whereby the water in said tank may be suddenly dumpedonto the soleplate to bypass the orifice and empty said tank rapidlythrough said ports.
 18. Apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein saidshroud valve means is operable separately from said water valve means.19. Apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said interior tank hasmeans closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and saidlarge tank opening is in the bottom of said tank.
 20. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 19 wherein said matching opening in said coverplateis disposed directly above the hottest part of the soleplate. 21.Apparatus as described in claim 19 having a balance tube connecting thesteam generating portion below the coverplate and the interior of saidtank.
 22. Apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said matchingopening in said coverplate is disposed directly above the hottest partof the soleplate.
 23. Apparatus as described in claim 21 having meansimpeding the normal generated steam flow to said ports on tank dumpingwhereby increased steam pressure to said tank interior assists saidemptying.
 24. Apparatus as described in claim 22 having a pressurecontrol valve to maintain a constant steam prEssure upstream of saidcoverplate.
 25. Apparatus as described in claim 23 whereby said impedingmeans is provided by extending said shroud through the coverplate andclose to but spaced from said soleplate to provide a steam paththerebetween so the dumping water flow is directed into said steam pathto impede said steam flow to the ports and generate a momentary pressurerise.
 26. In a steam iron having steam control means, a fill opening toan interior water tank, a steam generating soleplate with ports therein,valve means to close the tank to atmosphere, and means to pressurizesaid tank, the improvement in means to purge at least said tank of waterand loose residues comprising, a substantially large opening in saidtank, said opening communicating to the atmosphere, and means operableto open and close said opening, whereby the water in said tank may besuddenly dumped to empty said tank rapidly.